Thinking about trying acupuncture for your health issue? Don’t let the word ‘needle’ put you off. Acupuncture needles are far smaller than you may be imagining, and nothing like an injection needle. I do my best to be extremely gentle with my needling technique and over the last 20+ years of clinical experience, I have developed a light approach.
What does acupuncture feel like?
Because the needles are so fine, many people barely feel them. When you do feel something, it usually presents as a mild tingling, a warm sensation, or a dull, heavy ache that settles within a few seconds.
Once the needles are in place, there is no manipulating or adjusting in my clinic. Most people find the rest of the session deeply relaxing, and it is very common to drift off to sleep and have a peaceful rest.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a holistic health practice used for thousands of years.
Modern view: Research suggests acupuncture works in part by stimulating the central nervous system, and encouraging the body’s natural relaxation response.
Traditional view: TCM focuses on supporting the smooth flow and balance of energy (Qi) and blood circulation throughout the body, taking into account your physical, emotional, and overall wellbeing.
Every person is unique, so needle placement is chosen strategically and carefully based on your individual needs and comfort level.
Your comfort and safety are my top priorities. Before any treatment begins, we will have a discussion about your health history, what you hope to address, and any questions or concerns you might have.
Because health issues vary, treatment plans are personalised. Long-standing health issues generally require a longer course of care, while recent concerns may need fewer visits. During your initial consultation, I will outline a treatment plan tailored to you.
After a session, most people feel calm and refreshed, though some feel quiet and sleepy while others feel a boost of energy. To get the most out of your treatment, plan to take it easy afterwards. If you love going to the gym or working out, try to complete your exercise before your appointment so you can rest and enjoy the relaxed feeling later.
As an AHPRA-registered Acupuncturist and member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA), I follow strict professional codes of conduct, hygiene standards, and safety requirements.
Whether you live in Upwey, Ferntree Gully, Tecoma, Belgrave, or the broader Dandenong Ranges, you can feel confident that you are receiving safe, qualified, and patient-centered care.
Absolutely. While the clinic is based in Upwey, I warmly welcome community members from across the Dandenong Ranges. I accept patients from surrounding areas including Boronia, Belgrave, Ferny Creek, Ferntree Gully, Olinda, Tecoma, Upper Ferntree Gully, Scoresby, Rowville and other nearby suburbs. Parking is available out front, and the practice environment is quiet and peaceful.
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Most people are surprised by how gentle acupuncture feels. Because acupuncture needles are thin and flexible—unlike thick, hollow medical needles used for injections—insertion is typically pain free. You might feel a slight dull ache, warmth, or a mild tingling sensation for a few seconds, followed by a sense of calm and relaxation.
To get the most out of your visit, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to areas like your lower legs and arms. Try to eat a light meal or snack an hour or two before your session to balance your blood sugar levels, and aim to schedule any heavy gym workouts before your appointment so you can rest afterwards.
Because treatment plans are fully tailored to your unique health picture, the number of sessions varies. Generally, recent or acute concerns respond faster, while longer-standing issues benefit from a regular course of ongoing support. During your initial consultation in Upwey, we will discuss a realistic outline suited to your personal goals.
Yes. In Australia, practicing acupuncturists must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia under AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). This ensures your practitioner has completed extensive university-level qualifications, maintains strict hygiene standards using sterile single-use needles, and adheres to strict national safety codes.
Absolutely. While the clinic is based in Upwey, I warmly welcome community members from across the Dandenong Ranges, including Tecoma, Belgrave, Ferntree Gully, and nearby hills suburbs. Parking is available out front, and the practice environment is quiet and peaceful.
Dry needling uses the same stainless steel needles that a Registered Acupuncturist uses. The difference between dry needling and acupuncture is in the length of training the practitioner has received and the application of the needles.
A dry needling practitioner is usually a massage therapist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath, myotherapist, medical practitioner, a podiatrist, or hand therapist who has gone on to do a course in dry needling. They will use the needle to stimulate neural, fascial and muscle changes to relieve localised pain. A Registered Acupuncturist uses local needles in the same way, but also needles in different locations over the entire body, and will generally use them to treat a much broader range of conditions and to address the underlying factors, in addition to the local points.
A practitioner of dry needling may have only trained for 16 hours, or done an online course in Australia with their training focused on localised pain issues, whereas a Registered Acupuncturist will have trained for in excess of 500 hours in needling and locating points prior to graduating and becoming registered with AHPRA. In Australia, all Registered Acupuncturists must be registered by law with AHPRA and an adjunct body (in our case AACMA).
It is not compulsory for a ‘dry needler’ to have done any training legally, or to be registered with any regulatory body in Australia. If you wish to try dry needling, be sure to ask your practitioner their level of training. Alternatively, be assured that your Registered Acupuncturist has the above-mentioned number of hours under their belt by law in Australia before even graduating.
